Vincent Cordero

Vincent Cordero's path to success has had as many twists as the telenovelas that air on the two Spanish-language television stations he manages.

Vincent Cordero's path to success has had as many twists as the telenovelas that air on the two Spanish-language television stations he manages.

Raised in a working-class Los Angeles neighborhood, Mr. Cordero was the first in his family to go to college. After graduating magna cum laude from the University of California at Los Angeles, he won a place at the University of Chicago's law school.

But he knew television was in his blood. "I was not passionate about the law, and I thought Univision's unique connection to the Latino market would give me the opportunity to make a difference in the community," Mr. Cordero says. Univision agreed, and in 2005 the company named Mr. Cordero general manager of the two stations it owns in Chicago, a market in which it has the most-watched 5 p.m. newscast among all 18- to 34-year-olds.

Mr. Cordero oversees sales, community outreach and the local programs the Univision affiliate produces — newscasts that air seven days a week at 5 and 10 p.m., a public affairs show and a sports show. He's also funneled the stations' resources into community service programs on education and voting. Univision's 5 p.m. newscast, for example, now features an education report every Sunday.

Since Mr. Cordero arrived, advertising sales have grown by double digits each year. The company declined to discuss revenue or profit figures.

8 TO 9 A.M.While enjoying his daily venti vanilla latte with soy milk, he plans the day and the week ahead. "I get excited thinking about everything we can do."

"Vincent's made it a priority to cover issues that directly impact his viewers' lives, and it's invigorated his reporters," says Jesse Ruiz, chairman of the Illinois Board of Education, a partner at law firm Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and a frequent interview guest on Univision. "He's really shown that you can do well by doing good."